Hyundai National Champs
Presented by Quiksilver

Surfing New Zealand
Piha Beach, Auckland
10 - 17 January 2009

Kereopa and Quinn Do Battle

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 11 January, 2009 : - - Daniel Kereopa (Raglan) got the upper hand over Maz Quinn (Gis) today when the two surfers placed first and second respectively in their fourth round heat at the Hyundai National Surfing Championships presented by Quiksilver.

The most anticipated heat of the event to date took place in excellent conditions at South Piha with the Open Men’s Division being held off until the low tide in the afternoon.  The low tide formed some perfect 1.5m – 2.0m waves and the surfers put on an exceptional show all day.

Kereopa scored 16.20 out of a possible 20 points to win the heat over Maz Quinn who posted 14.75.  Together the two surfers defeated Nick White (Mnt) and Dane Simpson (Gis). “Absolutely wrapped” commented Kereopa on his performance today “I have achieved my goal for the event”.

The event is only half way through with surfers having to compete another two times before getting to the final and a chance at securing a title.  However Kereopa was clearly stoked “I have had a chance to beat Maz who I regard as the champ and I did it”.

Kereopa now faces off with defending event champion Jay Quinn (Gis) in the quarterfinal as well as Tim O’Connor (Mnt) and 2008 runner up Matt Scorringe (WGM). 

“I am just having a good time.  There is still no pressure on me.  I came into the event to gauge myself and seem to be doing alright” commented Kereopa on his upcoming heat.

 “The biggest threat is the wave itself.  Piha changes its mood every hour.  The person who adjusts the best will win.  All the boys are surfing real good so the guy who masters the conditions will have the edge” added Kereopa.

 Jay Quinn progressed through his fourth round heat in the same fashion as his brother - in second place.  Quinn had a tough time of it in his heat scoring 11.75 but it was enough to move through in second place behind Gisborne’s Chris Malone.

 Older brother Maz Quinn (Gis) was just happy “to get his first heat out of the way” and keep his chances alive for an elusive fifth national title. “Nah I am not too fazed” commented Quinn of his performance “the conditions sort of have a lot to do with the results because you can be in the right spot and get a bomb or you can get nothing in your heat”.

“It has shown though in all the heats today” commented Quinn on the results of the day and surfers that have made huge scores and others that got low scores.  “The bank is good, it is just a little tricky”.

Other surfers that impressed today were Raglan’s Leon Santorik who likened the waves to Manu Bay – his favourite break at Raglan.  Santorik scored 15.20 in his heat to progress alongside Piha local and 1997 National Champion Andrew Robinson. “The waves were these big, bowly lefthanders so I felt real confident.  The waves were just like home” said Santorik.

Maz Quinn : photo Cory/NZ Surfing Magazine

Santorik, a previous runner up at the National Champs in 2005 has been through a flat spot and his progression today marked the first heat he made in three events “I have finally broken the curse, anything from here is all good” commented Santorik in regards to a possible progression through to the semifinals later in the week.

Matt Hewitt led the charge for the Bay of Plenty surfers posting 15.00 in his heat which included a near perfect 9.0 point ride.  Hewitt smashed two huge turns on one wave for his highest score which turned his heat around after falling on the first two waves.  “I was stoked to get that wave.  I fell on the first two so I needed that wave” adding “I am real stoked especially since the waves are good and this is a good warm up for the juniors which are likely to take place tomorrow”.

Today’s heat winners included Chris Malone (Gis), Blair Stewart (Gis), Tim O’Connor (Mnt), Luke Cederman (Rag), and Dan Scott (WGM). Earlier in the day the Under 16 Boys Division was surfed down to the semifinals with local surfer Tane Wallis dominating proceedings with easily the highest heat score of the division – 14.00 out of 20.  Others to impress included Ben Poulter (Rag), Todd Doyle (Mnt) and Damo Norman (Aus).

The Hyundai National Championships presented by Quiksilver are being held at Piha Beach, Auckland from the 10th – 17th of January.  The event marks the second of six events on the 2008/09 Corona Crown Series and also the second event on the 2009 Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour.

Surfing New Zealand are proudly partnered by Corona, Hyundai, SPARC, Smokefree

Previous reports:
# 1 : Piha will host Hyundai National Champs by Quiksilver
# 2 : Excellent surf on tap for NZ's Hyundai National Champs
# 3 : Opening day perfection for the Hyundai National Champs
# 4 : Coming soon  

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Ben Kennings

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